IAN Murray has confirmed there are no plans to fill the vacant role of “envoy to the nations and regions” after Sue Gray rejected taking up the position.
Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff had been offered the position as something of a consolation after she was forced to resign amid bitter infighting in Number 10.
Gray (below) was swiftly replaced by Morgan McSweeney, a close Starmer adviser, and was said to be taking on the role of nations and regions envoy.
However, she did not appear at a key summit just days later, no job description was provided for her role, and reports later said she was going on a break before taking it up.
After this, it was revealed she had rejected the position.
Scottish Secretary Murray (below) was asked at the first Scottish Affairs Committee of the term whether there were any plans to fill the vacancy going forward.
He said: “There are no plans to fill it.”
The role had previously been described as “vital” by the UK Government.
The SNP branded the position a “fake job” and said the debacle over Gray not taking up the role was “utterly embarrassing” for the Prime Minister.
Gray would have acted as a go-between for ministers with devolved governments, but last month First Minister John Swinney said he would not "be dealing through envoys" and that he “expects a direct relationship” with the UK Prime Minister.
The SNP also accused the UK Government of having a “colonial mindset” in creating the role.
The first meeting of the council of nations and regions in October was controversial as the only Scottish representative involved was First Minister John Swinney.
Local leaders across England were invited but Scottish council leaders were not in attendance, which the SNP described as an "insult".
